Richard Wayne Vertucci

Richard Wayne Vertucci passed away on September 4, 2023 at the age of 87 in Naperville, Illinois. Born in 1935, Richard overcome extraordinary circumstances to live a wonderful life. Enlisting in the military during the 1950's, his athleticism led to playing for the marine corps baseball team and an invitation to try out for the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league team. Returning to the Chicago area in the 1960's, Richard married his first wife Lulu Ruiz. Sadly, when illness took LuLu far too soon, Richard picked up the pieces and poured himself into what became a lifelong passion for weightlifting and bodybuilding which he continued until his mid 70's when he could no longer do so. Fate was finally kind to Richard in the late 1960's when he met his future wife, Martha, whom he was married for 45 years until her passing in 2013. Together, they raised Martha's son John and their children Stephen and Jennifer. Determined to provide his children the opportunities he did not have, he worked tirelessly in construction, odd jobs, and eventually, became self-employed as an arborist for decades until his retirement. His happiest memories were traveling with Martha and seeing his grandchildren's accomplishments and attending their activities. He is predeceased by his wife Martha, and survived by his stepson John (Jody) Caballero, son Stephen (Starla) Vertucci, daughter Jennifer (Jeff) Sais, his 7 grandchildren, his sisters Dolores Paulsen, Toni Adamatis, and Pat (Ed) Gentry. Visitation will be held at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory, 24021 Royal Worlington Drive, Naperville, Illinois on September 21st from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Funeral mass will be September 22nd at 11:00 at St. Mary Immaculate Parish, 15629 Route 59, Plainfield, Illinois. He will be laid to rest at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois.